Monday’s Line
August 20th, 2007, 9:09 am · Post a Comment · posted by patrickdonohue
Having seen the girlfriend off to college, the weekend was a pretty eventful one that had me tethered to the couch for a majority of it. Having watched some football and a ton of TV. I have a number of things to rant about this morning. Let’s start chronologically.
I TiVo’d Friday nights Minnesota/Jets preseason game knowing full well that I was really only interested in the first quarter to see how rookie Adrian Peterson would do along with first year starter Tavaris Jackson for the Vikes. What I saw was Chad Pennington put in the worst preseason performance by a starter that I’ve seen in a long time. On the flip side, Adrian Peterson looked fantastic. He is a strong, quick runner that will be giving tacklers fits all season long. I am not sure that is a more dangerous runner in the open field than AD. The jury is still out on Jackson. Because of Pennington’s slip-ups, Jackson only saw 2 or 3 series of work and spent a great deal of time handing the ball off to Chester Taylor and Peterson. The Vikings could be a very interesting team to watch this year.
Saturday, I watched an absolute ton of Survivorman as it was apparently the wrong weekend to sign up for a season pass of the show. I think at last count, I watched 5 episodes of the program and 7 still remain unwatched on my DVR. It’s pretty incredible stuff. I’ve also become addicted to the travel/food show No Reservations with Top Chef guest judge and blogger Anthony Bourdain. A really fun watch.
Last night, I caught the first bit of the Giants/Ravens preseason game and shook my head at how ineffective Eli Manning is as a quarterback. The Peyton comparisons are warranted and inevitable but ultimately pointless. Eli is and never will be half the quarterback and leader his brother is. But forget Peyton for a second. Where does Eli list on the greater list of NFL quarterbacks? Top 10? Absolutely not. He’s probably one of the top 15 quarterbacks in the league. One could argue that he may be the 15th-20th best quarterback in the league given that he has not exhibited, so far, anything closely resembling leadership qualities. If the Giants are going to be successful this year, they will need Eli Manning to take control of the reins and make this his team. I just don’t see that happening.
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No, seriously…
The mayor of Cincinnati might be a little too sensitive.
Brazil to offer free sex changes.
A plastic cut-out cop shooting a radar gun is slowing drivers down in Tennessee (insert Tennesee joke here.)
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ESPN’s Mark Schlabach makes five predictions for the SEC this year/the power in the conference is moving east.
Nets forward Richard Jefferson gives $3.5 million to his alma mater.
Giants defensive end Michael Strahan expected to end holdout by this weekend.
SI’s Peter King is reporting that Falcons owner Arthur Blank feels deeply betrayed by Michael Vick.
The U.S. Open holds tryouts for “ball people.”
THE DAILY BIRD
- Philadelphia Inquirer’s Ashley Fox: Team has questions to answer.
- Les Bowen has something similar.
- Inquirer’s Phil Sheridan: All is right with Eagles, McNabb
New York Daily News writer dubs Virginia Tech “America’s Team.”
Brady Quinn a “knockout” in Browns debut.
Alabama corner Simeon Castille arrested for disorderly conduct.
Former USC tailback Emmanuel Moody not blaming USC for this transfer.
Dan Hawkins names son starting quarterback at Colorado.
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Well-rounded news…
The Federal Trade Commission is still trying to block the Whole Foods/Wild Oats merger.
Dickens World will make your bratty kids grateful for what they have.
Veronica Mars’ Kristen Bell will join the cast of ‘Heroes.’
Kanye samples Steely Dan on new record.
J.K. Rowling is reportedly working on a detective novel.
